Your World Today

The Salem Memorial District Hospital has revised their visitor restrictions effective last Tuesday. Although you still must wear a mask while visiting anyone at the hospital unless you have respiratory issues doing so, many of the former restrictions have been lifted with visitor hours now from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday and from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. There are different rules for patients with or without COVID-19. You can view all the revised visitor instructions online at SMDH.net or contact the hospital at 729-6626 if you have questions.

An accident occurred on the morning of Saturday, March 19th in Salem on Highway 32. According to the Salem Police Report, a 2020 Ford F-150 driven by Joseph Nelson of Ava, was traveling west towards the intersection of Highway 72 where a deer was standing in the road. The Ford traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a MODOT yield sign and began sliding in the grass. The Ford then struck a ditch and overturned. During the accident, damage was caused to the fence owned by American Muffler and Tire. Nelson indicated he had hip pain but declined medical attention. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler and Tire.

Volunteers for AARP continue to offer free tax filing assistance at the Salem Community Center@The Armory computer lab on Fridays, but appointments are filling up fast. New appointments will continue to be made on Fridays now through April 15th and times are still available. This local service is provided entirely by AARP trained volunteers and will be the 18th year that Healthy Dent County has partnered with AARP to provide this free tax service to our community. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that the volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or get paid tax assistance. Items you will need to bring with you to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification such as a picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents; or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. You should also bring birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents on the tax return. Also needed are wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099- Misc from all employers; year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; and interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). You should bring a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; plus proof of your bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. If you still need tax help, make an appointment by calling 729-8163.

Team members at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park invite the public on a spring wildflower hike at 10:00 Saturday morning, April 2nd. This informational trek will provide details on the types of flowers, their medicinal uses and some wild edibles that can be found right in your own backyard. Participants should meet at the Horseshoe Trailhead for a 1.5-mile guided hike. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring water and wear sturdy shoes and insect repellent. In the event of inclement weather, the hike will be canceled. The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others. For more information, contact the park naturalist at 573-546-2450, ext. 1003. You can also find more information on state parks and historic sites, by visiting mostateparks.com.

The Dent County Commission met the morning of March 24th in the courthouse for their regular meeting. Sally Burbridge, Salem, and Dent County Economic Development Director was in to answer questions about the new Tourism Tax Commission logo. She indicated that the commission wanted a new logo that would be consistent with the rest of the Salem and Dent County branding. The Commission approved the logo unanimously. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said that his crew was checking for washouts, downed trees, and limbs. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that weather permitting, brush would be cut on Dent County Road 6140 while service was being done on grader #37 and truck #68. He noted that bridges would be cleaned out on county roads 3180 and 2330. Larson reported on the Tourism Tax Commission meeting where five reimbursement requests and one request for funding were submitted. He also talked on the new Tourism Tax Logo, which the Commission approved. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that Corky Stack of Stack and Associates had been contacted about the sewer problems at the jail and that Corky had gotten the Muffin Monster pump and equipment ordered to solve the problem. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. She noted that absentee voting continues in her office through April 4th and that her office will be open Saturday, April 2nd, from 8:00 in the morning until noon for absentee voting. The next commissioner meeting will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

A Youth Paint Party will be held Saturday at the Creative Arts Center behind the ONCRC with Danielle Norris. This paint party is for boys and girls ages five and older, even those young at heart! There is a maximum of 20 students so register now! Those in attendance will paint a spring themed painting and experiment with mixing colors and trying different types of brush stroke techniques. For more information or to register, call 247-0651. Message them on Facebook or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.

The Salem Acoustic Jam will be held this Saturday at the Creative Arts Center at 6:30. Come on out, bring your instrument and join in, or just come to listen to the music. All types of music are played, everyone is welcome to participate and there is NO CHARGE to attend.

The Dent County Commissioners conducted a road closure hearing March 24th in the morning at 10:00 in the Judicial Building Associate Court Room. The hearing was to consider the petition submitted by Donny Hodges for the closing of 1.2 miles of Dent County Road 5490. District One Commissioner Wes Mobray outlined that 1/2 mile of the road was bordered on both sides by property owned by Hodges, but 1.2 miles would require closure to provide turn arounds. Hodges noted that the roadbed is a partial creek bed since it is approximately 5 feet lower than the hay fields on both sides so that flooding runs right down the road. Irvin Halbrook, Russell Flowers, Janelle Harrison, and Judy Harris were among those who spoke in opposition to the closure. Halbrook questioned why the hearing was being held since the requirements as to abandonment were not met. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles pointed out that the Commission had to follow the law once a petition was presented. Mobray made a motion to leave the road open, seconded by 2nd District Commissioner Gary Larson, and approved by the commissioners, 3-0. The hearing was then adjourned.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri thank the thousands of Missouri deer hunters who donated 242,774 pounds of venison to the state’s Share the Harvest program this past deer season, including 5,053 whole deer. They also want to thank the participating meat processors throughout the state who grind the donated deer meat into ready-to-use packages, and the many sponsors who financially support the program. Meat-processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors that include Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Feeding Missouri and Missouri Department of Conservation. The donated deer meat goes to local food banks and food pantries to help feed hungry Missourians all around the state. To get Share the Harvest venison, contact local food banks or food pantries. Share the Harvest is coordinated by MDC and CFM and is celebrating 30 years of helping to feed hungry Missourians. Since the program was started in 1992, it has provided nearly 5 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed hungry Missourians, including this past season’s donations.